A HISTORIAN from Evesham has received a national award in recognition of her contribution to local history.

Iris Pinkstone, founder member and chairman of the Simon de Montfort Society, received the accolade from the British Association for Local History at the Local History Day event in Birmingham on Saturday, June 6.

She was recognised for her "dogged work and service" to the society, a heritage and educational charity which works to raise the profile of famous historical figure Simon de Montfort and to preserve the site of the Battle of Evesham.

Ms Pinkstone, of Malinshill Road, Hampton, near Evesham, said: "It was very nice to be recognised in this way. "Over the years we've been trying to get people to wake up to what they have on their doorstep and I just hope Evesham will notice and continue to look after the history."

The Simon de Monfort Society carries out a range of activities, including battlefield walks, historical lectures and the creation of educational resources for schools to encourage interest in the 13th century.

A spokesman for the British Association for Local History added: "We are pleased to recognise, as a referee says, Iris's ‘dogged work and service to the cause of truly understanding the 13th century’.

"2015 is the right year to include a medievalist in our list of local historians recognised by the awards.

"750 years since the death of Simon de Montfort and the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta has drawn the period to public attention in the media on the national and international stage."

He added: "Iris is known for her skill as an illustrator; her images bring to life this relatively distant time and are used in many places and publications.

"These include the society’s newsletter The Lion which has been Iris’s own product for over 20 years and plays a vital role in keeping members and the wider world informed."